8 ways to earn money while studying

For many, studying is the most exciting time of their lives, and every party or exam they pass naturally needs to be celebrated appropriately. So that this plan does not fail because of the necessary monetary part, we collected some sources of income for students.

Many students move out of their parents' home and into their own apartment or shared apartment. With this new stage in life, independent living often begins: everyone has to do the dishes, clean, do the laundry and go shopping on a regular basis.

Of course, this has its advantages: buying what you like to eat, going to every party and not coming home until dawn.

However, these advantages also cost money. Students who have sufficient financial support from their parents can consider themselves very lucky. Everyone else has to start looking for a job. To help you with this, here are a few ways to earn money during your studies.

1. Do a Minijob

Mini-jobs can often be done comfortably alongside your studies, as they are characterized by flexible working hours. In university cities, employers often cater to students and accommodate changing schedules, for example. These jobs are also called marginally paid jobs, because the salary of a month may not exceed 450€. They are not subject to social insurance, which is why no taxes have to be paid on the amount.

Examples of mini-jobs in many cities are: delivering pizzas, working in a supermarket, helping out in restaurants or hotels, or selling in Christmas market stalls (often also possible at other city festivals).

• Tutoring: Tutoring is another possibility of a mini-job, which I would like to explain in more detail. This means tutoring for school children. At universities you can often find notices in which parents are looking for tutors for their schoolchildren. This can concern any school subject (but often math, German, English) and any grade level. The concrete framework conditions (such as payment, frequency and meeting place) are negotiated personally. The advantage is that such an arrangement can last over a long period of time, especially if the family has several children. If both parties wish, the tasks can be extended to babysitting or joint activities.

2. Work as a working student

Working students work up to 20 hours a week in a company besides their studies. This often fits in with their course of study and allows them to gain first relevant practical experiences. Here, too, no social security contributions have to be paid.

During the job, your studies have to remain the main task, nevertheless it is possible that the working hours during the lecture-free time exceed the usual 20 hours.

You don't know which companies in your region have jobs for working students? Take a look at the UniNow app - under the Career tab you will find offers from employers in your area.

3. Search for a Hiwi job

The abbreviation Hiwi stands for "auxiliary scientist" and means either a student assistant (students without a university degree) or a research assistant (students with a university degree). There is often little difference between the jobs, but having already completed a bachelor's degree might change something about the salary.

Hiwis can provide support activities in all areas of everyday university life. Many lecturers are looking for support in creating or revising presentations and other lecture materials, university institutions such as the library are happy to have helping hands with book lending. But also departments such as university communication or the office for student affairs can be supported with daily tasks. Of course, the activities vary greatly depending on the position.

4. Get a Midijob

A “midijob” is located between a minijob and a working student job. It is also referred to as a "transitional job" and is subject to social security contributions. The remuneration here is between 450.01€ and 1,300€, whereby 1,300€ is the upper limit for the total remuneration of all part-time jobs.

5. Function as a tutor for practice seminars

Especially at universities of applied sciences there are often accompanying tutorials to complex or math-heavy lectures, which are supposed to repeat and consolidate what has been learned. These can also be led by students. If you are really good in a lecture or already have some prior knowledge, talk to the professor. The contents of the tutorial are coordinated with the contents of the lecture, so regular communication with responsible lecturers is important. The payment can vary greatly and also the possibility to lead a tutorial depends on the respective university or college. Especially at larger universities, exercises or tutorials are often held by other lecturers or research assistants.

6. Be an exercise instructor at the university sports center

Another possibility to earn money in your usual university environment is as an instructor of a university sports course. This has several advantages: you can be sure that there is a course for your favorite sport and that you will get a place, you do sports regularly, you meet new people (who share your interests) and you earn money doing what you like to do.

Depending on the sport, this may involve more or less effort and, of course, some responsibility. As an instructor you are responsible for the neatness of the sports facility and have to take care of the health of your participants. Here, too, the pay can vary greatly, but you should keep this possibility in mind.

7. Help with Inventories

If you don't want to commit to supermarket chains for a long period of time, you can help out with inventories. Supermarkets have to carry out inventories at regular intervals, for which they need one-time support. Normally, these work assignments take place in the early morning hours on weekends, but this can also vary depending on the region and chain. You are paid at a pre-determined hourly rate.

8. Apply for BAföG

BAföG appears at the very end of this list. On the one hand, because you have no direct influence on whether you get it approved, on the other hand, because part of it must be paid back. In order not to go beyond the scope, we will not go into detail here about the conditions that justify BAföG.

In general, it can be stated that a first full-time course of study as well as a master's degree that builds on a bachelor's degree are eligible for funding. An upper age limit of 29 years applies when starting a bachelor's degree and 34 years for a master's degree. The amount of BAföG depends on your own income and assets, but also on the income of your parents (or spouse).

Since applying for BAföG often involves a great deal of bureaucracy, universities usually offer support here. So just ask for a contact person who can help you.

Of course, there are many other ways for students to earn money, but the ones mentioned above are the most common. Maybe there was a new idea for you that will pay for your drinks at the next party.